Method and installation for identifying animals

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a method and an installation for identifying animals and managing data concerning said animals so as to control the traceability of the animals and of the data. The inventive installation comprises at least: an identifier ( 1 ) borne by the animal; a system for reading ( 2 ) the identifier; a self-contained system ( 3 ) for communicating with the user, processing and storing in a storage unit ( 7 ) data concerning at least an animal, a link between the self-contained system ( 3 ) and the reading system ( 2 ); a centralised database ( 4 ) assembling data concerning the animals; databases concerning data on the animals are included in the self-contained system storage unit and duplicated in the centralised data bank; means for communicating data between the self-contained system ( 3 ) and the centralised database ( 4 ) and communication means ( 6 ) and ( 6′ ) between the self-contained system ( 3 ) and another self-contained system ( 3′ ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a process and an installationpermitting identifying animals and managing the information andoccurrences relating to these animals with a view to controlling thetraceability of the animals and the information.

[0002] This information concerning data relative to the life of theanimal such as for example its date and place of birth, its breed, itsdifferent owners or holders, its movements, its illnesses or any otherinformation and occurrences such as for example veterinary treatment,data relative to its physical condition, etc. . . . .

[0003] The desire for traceability, origin and stages of the life of ananimal is particularly prominent in recent years particularly as tocattle, these being but one instance of the application of the inventionwhich can also relate to sheep, swine or any other type of animal fromthe moment at which the animal is provided with an identification means.

[0004] Current usage to ensure following the animals is visualidentification associated with a paper passport. In certainapplications, the data concerning the animal can be stored in nationalor regional databases. The paper passport must in theory follow all themovements of the animal and carry up to date data concerning it.

[0005] The use of a paper support gives rise to considerable problems,particularly because of the need to write manually on the passport thedata concerning the animal. On the other hand, in use, the condition ofthe paper support degrades very rapidly and renders difficult anyreading and automatic procedure. Finally, the connection with databasesrequires recording these data on a computer support such as a minitelfor example to communication with the centralized database.

[0006] WO99/45761 provides a method and installation to collectinformation on the livestock and a system of managing this informationfrom its inception to its consumption as to quality of the meat.

[0007] This patent is based on the use of identification elementscarried by the animal, preferably of the radio frequency type, the useof a mobile reader adapted to different types of radio frequencytransponders, adapted to be used along a path the animal is required tofollow.

[0008] This radio frequency reader has the advantage of being wireless.This patent describes a system in which the data received by the readercan be communicated to dedicated databases, for example that of thebreeder, that of the feeder, that of the slaughterer, that of thebutcher . . . these data can be communicated to a central database.

[0009] In this patent, the reader is associated with a transponder card,each being dedicated to a particular occurrence which will be read bythe reader. These data are transmitted to a multiport system whichcollects information from the reader.

[0010] The multiport system, independent from the reader, can, by portsdedicated to a specific type of occurrence, receive supplementalinformation communicated by the personnel who will use it, for examplethe cattle raiser.

[0011] These data taken from the reader or introduced into the multiportsystem are communicated to a central computer preferably radiofrequency. This central computer can be disposed on an Internet networkand communicate with other databases.

[0012] This system and the device for practicing it are particularlycomplicated. They suppose, other than reading the identification, thework of introducing data, either by reading of the dedicated transpondercard, or by selection of a dedicated port.

[0013] The information is readable on a computer designed as a fixed ormovable unit, from which the data will be sent to databanks which cancommunicate with each other.

[0014] This system permits, from the identification by the reader usedon the animal' location, obtaining on the computer independently of thereader, data relative to the animal, which are stored in the computer orin the databank or one of the databanks.

[0015] The technology of this patent which appears to be theoreticallysatisfactory, is not so if used in connection with livestock.

[0016] In Europe, cattle amounts of the order of 80 million head,distributed over a million properties, and required to be located in amillion cattle ranches or in a thousand slaughterhouses.

[0017] Those who work in this sector are divided up as follows:

[0018] about a million livestock raisers;

[0019] about 20,000 transporters;

[0020] about 50,000 veterinarians,

[0021] not including public or semi-public agents having the job ofoperating on livestock, each operation being an occurrence in thehistory of the animal which must be recorded.

[0022] It can be considered that on the European roster, between birthand slaughtering, more than 200 million occurrences are to be recordedin the databanks.

[0023] It is clear that the technology of the paper passport iscompletely unsuitable.

[0024] The technology of the patent WO99/45761 is an improvementrelative to what preceded it; it is however not perfect, particularly asto the recordation in real time of the data in the databanks and thecertification of the latter by the database.

[0025] Recourse to a computer intermediate between the reader and thedatabase can be a source of double error or disorder.

[0026] As to the relationship between the reader and the computer,recourse to dedicated systems, transponders or ports, can also give riseto problems.

[0027] Communication between two intermediate computers is possible onlyby placing in communication with each other the different databases.

[0028] This technology, usable onsite for the reader to recognize theanimal, is not suitable for the use of data onsite or for itsmodification onsite.

[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,925 describes a portable terminal with akeyboard memory, an information reader and transmission means to acentral unit.

[0030] The data on one terminal can be transferred into the memory ofanother terminal through a central unit by placing in communication thelatter with the terminals in question.

[0031] This patent, designed for mobile medical personnel makinghousecalls to sick persons, cannot be transposed to technical sectorsrelating to animals because placing in communication with the centralunit is possible only at a fixed position or a near distance from thecentral unit.

[0032] This excludes use onsite for example by placing in directcommunication to terminals to constitute a transfer.

[0033] The present invention has for its object to overcome thesedrawbacks by providing a new process and installation for theidentification of animals and the management of information relative tosaid animals to control the traceability of the animals and theinformation. The installation permits identifying in a sure manner,rapidly or even automatically, the animals, and facilitates acquiringand transferring information relative to these animals between workersand/or toward a centralized database.

[0034] The installation according to the invention for theidentification of animals, each carrying an identification, ischaracterized in that it comprises at least:

[0035] at least one system of reading the identification,

[0036] at least one autonomous system for communication with the user,for processing and storing in a memory the information relative to atleast one animal,

[0037] a connection between the autonomous system and the readingsystem,

[0038] a centralized database gathering information on the animals,

[0039] databases relating to the information on the animals are includedin the memory of the autonomous system and duplicated in the centralizeddatabank,

[0040] means for communicating information between each autonomoussystem and a centralized database,

[0041] means for communication between at least one autonomous systemand at least one other autonomous system.

[0042] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will becomeapparent from a reading of the following description, of severalembodiments given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0043]FIG. 1 shows the different material elements of the installation.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the installation according to the inventioncomprises at least:

[0045] an identification (1) carried by the animal,

[0046] a system (2) for reading the identification (1),

[0047] an autonomous system (3) for communication with the user, forprocessing and storing in a memory (7) information relative to at leastone animal, the information being distributed in databases internal tothe memory (7) and which are duplicated in the centralized database (4),

[0048] a connection between the autonomous system (3) and the readingsystem (2),

[0049] a centralized database (4) gathering the information on theanimals,

[0050] means (5) for communicating information between the autonomoussystem (3) and the centralized database (4),

[0051] means (6) and (6′) for communicating between an autonomous system(3) and another autonomous system (3′).

[0052] The identification (1) of the animal can be constituted by anymeans for emitting a characteristic signal permitting identifying theanimal. This identification can thus for example be an electronic chip,carried by the ear of the animal, implanted beneath the skin of theanimal or else ingested (commonly called “bolus”). More simply, theidentification can be a visible mark which will be read by a humanoperator.

[0053] This identification can also be constituted by a barcode forexample without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0054] The reading system (2) thus depends on the identification used.In the case of an electronic chip emitting a radio signal, the readingsystem will thus be constituted by a radio frequency receiver. Theidentification number of an animal is, in France for example,constituted by a ten-digit number as well as two letters to identify thecountry of origin of the animal.

[0055] The principle of emission of an electronic signal correspondingto this number and the remote reading of the number, are within thescope of those skilled in the art.

[0056] There can thus automatically be read the identification number ofan animal several meters distant or several tens of centimeters.

[0057] The autonomous system (3) comprises at least one memory (7) forthe storage of information, a module for processing data and aninterface with the human user. The module for processing data can beconstituted by a microcontroller. The interface for acquiring andreading information can be constituted by any known means. In the caseof the use in a cattle raising environment, the use of commands andrestitution of the information by vocal means, would be appropriate. Inmany of these cases, the control of the functions of the autonomoussystem must be very simple. The autonomous system could thus be providedwith a keyboard with a minimum of keys permitting accessing differentfunctions such as reading the identification or connection with thedatabase, for example.

[0058] The memory (7) is provided to contain two types of information:dynamic information, erasable and modifiable, relating to the animalsand their characteristics, and static information that cannot be erased,concerning the identification of the holder of said memory. The memorythus contains the information in the databases which pertain to it andwhich are duplicated in the centralized database (4). The informationcontained in the memory (7) will permit certifying in a uniquely andunfalsifiable manner the identification of the holder or of the user ofthe autonomous system. This memory (7) can be integrated into theautonomous system or carried on a removable smart card that can beintroduced into the system as will be described later.

[0059] It is provided that each person having the capability of actingon the animal (owner or holder, veterinarian, transporter or the like)will have in his possession an autonomous system (3) or at least a smartcard containing the memory (7) of this system. The autonomous system (3)can be connected to the reading system (2) by any known means.

[0060] The centralized database (4) gathers the information concerningthe animal of a given group (national livestock, or breed or group ofcattle raisers). The owners or holders will transmit to this databasecertain information concerning their animals. The communication means(5) for information between the autonomous system (3) and thecentralized database (4) can be of any type of known communicationmeans, by using the cellular telephone network for example.

[0061] It is also possible for proprietors or holders having each anautonomous system (3), to transfer to third parties automaticallyinformation contained in the memories (7) of their autonomous systems.

[0062] To this end, each autonomous system (3) comprises a communicationmeans (6) permitting transmitting information to at least one otherautonomous system (3). The communication means (6) and (6′) can forexample use a wire connection, radio waves, infrared signals or anyother known means.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reading system(2), the autonomous system (3), the communication means (5) and (6) areintegrated into a same housing. They can however be distributed indifferent housings communicating with each other by wire connection,radio, infrared or any other means.

[0064] The invention can also comprise, in the same housing orseparately, a device for geographical reference (8) of the GPS type orthe like, permitting locating in a certain manner the position at whichinformation is acquired, read, received or exchanged.

[0065] The description which follows, of the different steps of the useof the installation, will permit better understanding the invention.

[0066] The identification numbers are assigned to animals at birth. Eachof these numbers is carried on a loop, for example, in the form of avisible identification and if desired an electronic identification. Theowner or holder of the animals fixes the loop through the ear of ananimal. It thus identifies the animal in the autonomous system either bymanually acquiring the identification number, or thanks to the system ofautomatic reading of the identification. When the autonomous system hasidentified the animal, the proprietor or holder can acquire the firstinformation concerning this animal (date of birth, parents of the animal. . .). These data are stored in the memory of the autonomous system.These data are then transmitted by the autonomous system to thecentralized database (4). It is envisageable that this transmission takeplace in an automatic manner, certified and required as soon as the userenters new information to be transmitted to the database. Thetransmitted data will relate to information acquired by the proprietoror holder as well as the certified identification of the proprietor orholder contained in the memory (7) of the autonomous system. In return,the database will return information validating that the data containedin the memory of the autonomous system are correctly recorded in thedatabase and supplying them by the same certification.

[0067] When a transporter for example takes charge of animals, theautonomous system of the proprietor or holder and the autonomous systemof the transporter can communicate with each other. After havingidentified the animals, the autonomous system of the transporter willreceive information relative to these animals contained in the memory ofthe autonomous system of the proprietor. This transaction will then takeplace in the centralized database, then, in return, validate it in thememory of each of the two apparatus.

[0068] In another case, a potential buyer will be in proximity to ananimal. After reading the identification of the animal, the lattercommunicates with the database from his autonomous system and retrievesinformation relative to this animal. If this animal interests him, hecan then carry out the transaction with the proprietor or holder bycausing their respective autonomous systems to communicate.

[0069] In fact, several users can communicate with others from theidentification of the animal and/or this or that user.

[0070] In another case, when it is not possible to communicateimmediately with the database, the autonomous system can, after readingthe identification of the animal, present information relative to theanimal such as are recorded in its memory, or in that of another nearbyautonomous system, whilst determining, for each information, if it hasor has not been communicated to the database and validated by thelatter.

[0071] These examples represent only several of the possibilitiesoffered by the installation according to the invention and are in no waylimiting.

[0072] According to a modification of the installation alreadymentioned, certain users have an autonomous system constituted by aterminal whose memory is integrated with the apparatus and others haveonly a smart card accessing the memory relating to animals of which theyare in charge, for example. It is in this case possible to envisageseveral types of autonomous systems:

[0073] autonomous systems without a memory but with one or several smartcard readers, these systems could for example be disposed in the meetingplaces of proprietors or holders so that they can carry out theirtransactions.

[0074] Autonomous systems dedicated to a user and having an integratedmemory and one or several smart card readers could carry outtransactions with users that do not have a personal autonomous system.

[0075] The installation according to the invention places at thedisposal of all users as many terminals as necessary that cancommunicate between the animal and the central database or saidterminals can communicate between themselves from the identification ofthe animal in question.

[0076] The installation according to the present invention isessentially adapted for the management of animals. However, other usesare envisageable in the management of merchandise, particularly meat orthe management of stock for example.

1. Installation for identifying animals and for managing information relative to said animals provided with an identification (1) carried by each animal, characterized in that it comprises at least: at least one system (2) for reading the identification (1), at least one autonomous system (3) for communicating with the user, for processing and storing in a memory (7) information relative to at least one animal, a connection between the autonomous system (3) and the reading system (2), a centralized database (4) gathering information on the animals, databases relating to the information on the animals are included in the memory of the autonomous system and duplicated in the centralized databank, communication means (5) for information between the autonomous system (3) and the centralized database (4), means (6) and (6′) for communicating between at least one autonomous system (3) and at least one other autonomous system (3′).
 2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory (7) is removable and can be carried on a smart card for example.
 3. Installation according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the reading system (2) of the identification (1) uses the principle of radio frequency.
 4. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the identification (1) is fixed to the ear of the animal.
 5. Installation according to claim 3 characterized in that the identification (1) is implanted beneath the skin of the animal.
 6. Installation according to claim 3 characterized in that the identification (1) is ingested by the animal.
 7. Installation according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the identification is a visible mark read by a human operator.
 8. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory (7) contains information relating to the animals and information relating to the holder of said memory.
 9. Installation according to claim 8 characterized in that the memory (7) contains a unique and unfalsifiable identification of the identity of the holder or of the user of the autonomous system (3).
 10. Installation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the means (5) for communicating between the autonomous system and the database of the information, use a telephone network.
 11. Installation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the reading system (2), the autonomous system (3), the transfer means (5) and the communication means (6) are integrated in a same housing.
 12. Installation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the communication of information between the user and the autonomous system (3) is carried out vocally.
 13. Installation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a device for a geographic location of the GPS type or the like.
 14. Process for identifying animals and managing information relative to said animals using the installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of reading the identification (1) of the animal and acquiring information relative to said animal in the memory of the autonomous system (3).
 15. Process according to claim 14 characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring acquired information toward the centralized database (4).
 16. Process according to claim 15 characterized in that it comprises a step of returning information from the database (4) to the autonomous system (3), said information validating that the data contained in the memory of the autonomous system (3) are correctly recorded in the database (4).
 17. Process according to one of claims 14 to 16 characterized in that it comprises a step of communicating information between the memories of the two autonomous systems (3).
 18. Process according to one of claims 14 to 17 characterized in that it comprises a step of reading the identification (1) of an animal and recovering information relative to said animal from the database (4) toward the autonomous system (3).
 19. Process according to one of claims 14 to 18 characterized in that it ensures, automatically, certifiably and necessarily the transmission of new information contained in the autonomous system to the database. 